Harbaugh: Apology, no. Responsibility, yes.

49ers coach Jim Harbaugh will offer no apology to Lions counterpart Jim Schwartz for his hard handshake and the exuberant thump on the back after the 49ers’ emotional 25-19 win in Detroit. Schwartz took exception and the two coaches jostled each other as they both left the field.

“No, I think there’s no reason for an apology,” Harbaugh said Monday. “Apologies always seem to me like excuses.”

However, Harbaugh did say he will work on his handshake etiquette after games.

“Personally I will try to get better at the post game handshake and will attempt to do that,” he said.

The NFL took an interest in the incident and Harbaugh acknowledged that he was contacted by league executive Ray Anderson. Anderson was on a fact-finding mission, according to Harbaugh, and wanted to find out about his side of the story. Earlier in the day, Schwartz addressed the Detroit media and let them know he’d also been on the phone with the league and he expects to chat with Harbaugh in private once the dust settles. The league later decided not to fine either coach.

What Harbaugh appeared to regret was that the dustup overshadowed his team’s performance in what could be a galvanizing win.

“It was an unfortunate incident that took place after the game, and I take responsibility and accountability for my part in that,” Harbaugh said. “The thing you feel bad about is that it takes away from what our football players did, and the game itself when you see what is being talked about today.”

In case you missed the now-ubiquitous video, here it is one more time: